Easy Friday Lenten Meal Ideas

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt & pepper
• Parsley (optional)

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Melt butter in a pan and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add lemon juice and a little pasta water.
4. Toss pasta in the sauce.
5. Top with Parmesan and parsley.

• Flour tortillas
• 1 can black beans (drained)
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salsa or sour cream

1. Mix beans with spices.
2. Spread beans and cheese on half a tortilla.
3. Fold and cook in skillet until golden.
4. Slice and serve with salsa.

• Bread
• Fresh mozzarella
• Tomato slices
• Fresh basil
• Butter
• Balsamic glaze (optional)

1. Butter the outside of bread slices.
2. Layer mozzarella, tomato, and basil inside.
3. Grill in skillet until cheese melts.
4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

• 1 bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 zucchini (sliced)
• ½ red onion
• 1 cup corn
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp taco seasoning
• Tortillas
• Avocado or cheese

1. Toss veggies with oil and seasoning.
2. Roast at 425°F for 15–20 minutes.
3. Fill tortillas and top with avocado or cheese.

• 1 package cheese tortellini
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup Parmesan
• Spinach (optional)

1. Cook tortellini according to package directions.
2. Heat marinara in a pan and stir in cream.
3. Add tortellini and spinach.
4. Sprinkle Parmesan on top.

• 1 lb white fish (tilapia, cod, or mahi-mahi)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper
• Corn or flour tortillas
• Shredded cabbage
• Lime wedges
• Sour cream or taco sauce

1. Pat fish dry and rub with olive oil and spices.
2. Cook in a skillet over medium heat 3–4 minutes per side until flaky.
3. Warm tortillas.
4. Flake fish and place in tortillas.
5. Top with cabbage, sour cream, and a squeeze of lime.

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled & deveined)
• 8–12 oz linguine or spaghetti
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ cup white cooking wine or chicken broth
• ¼ cup Parmesan
• Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet.
3. Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
4. Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink.
5. Stir in lemon juice and wine/broth.
6. Toss with drained pasta and Parmesan.
7. Garnish with parsley and red pepper flakes.

Here are 5 super-fast meatless meals (10 minutes or less) that are kid-approved and perfect for busy Lent Fridays. 

• Flour tortillas
• Shredded mozzarella or cheddar
• Handful of spinach
• Butter or olive oil

1. Heat a skillet with a little butter.
2. Place tortilla in pan and add cheese and spinach.
3. Top with another tortilla.
4. Cook until cheese melts, flip once.
5. Slice like a quesadilla.

• Bread
• 1 avocado
• Fried or scrambled eggs
• Salt & pepper
• Optional: Everything bagel seasoning

1. Toast bread.
2. Mash avocado with salt and pepper.
3. Cook egg quickly in a skillet.
4. Spread avocado on toast and top with egg.

• 1 can tuna
• 2 tbsp mayo
• 1 English muffin
• Slice of cheese
• Salt & pepper

1. Mix tuna with mayo, salt, and pepper.
2. Spread on English muffin halves.
3. Top with cheese.
4. Broil or toast until cheese melts

• Any pasta
• Store-bought pesto
• Parmesan cheese
• Cherry tomatoes (optional)

1. Cook pasta.
2. Drain and stir in pesto.
3. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
4. Add tomatoes if desired.

• 4 eggs
• Handful of spinach or diced peppers
• Shredded cheese
• Tortillas or toast

1. Scramble eggs in a skillet.
2. Add veggies and cook until eggs set.
3. Sprinkle cheese on top.
4. Serve in tortillas or with toast.

• Frozen shrimp
• Cheese tortellini
• Canned tuna
• Pesto
• Tortillas